Shaker chute construction



Oct. 17, 1933. Q. PARDlNl SHAKER CHUTE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 13, 1932 Patented Oct. 17, 1933 1 UNITED STATES PATENT" oFFice I I v SHAKER CHUTE CONSTRUCTION,

Quinta Rardini, Peckville, Pa. Application July s, 1932. Serial No. 622,327

2 Claims. (c1. 198- -220) My invention relates to shaker chutes and especially to the coupling means therefor.

Heretofore sections of these chutes were connected by bolts which resulted in much lost time in setting up and taking down the chute proper and were a source of much trouble. My invention simplifies this operation and it is an object of my invention to provide means whereby such connections may be easily and quickly made and with no loss of time.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a rigid and secure chute coupling which can be released or fastened instantly by manipulation of a clamping lever.

A still further object is to provide a cam action lever for locking and releasing the several sections of chute.

Still another object is to provide a lever coupling connection for shaker chutes which is simple, cheap to manufacture and highly efficient in its action.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description in which,

. Figure l is a fragmentary view of the chute showing the operating means therefor;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the several sections of chutes showing the coupling means in locked relation;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the coupling means showing a fragment of the operating lever;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the coupling with one of the links removed, and;

Figure 5 is a detail top view of the coupling means in open position.

In the drawing wherein the same reference characters are employed to designate like parts in all views, the numeral 6 designates the conventional operating means for the main chute I which is connected to the chute at 8. The chute 7 comprises separable chute members 9 and 10 which have joints 11. Each separate chute is provided with the bottom 12 and side walls 13 which are formed of metal.

Secured to one of the side walls 1'5 of each 5 chute, in any convenient manner, is a curved or hooked metal lug 14 having an extended base plate 15. The base 15 serves as a bearing plate for the cam action of a clamping lever which will be described at a point later on. Secured to the opposite wall of each chute is a metal block 16. It will be noted in Figure 5 that the lug 14 and block 16 are opposite one another on the end of each section of chute.

Pivoted to the block 16 at 17 are a pair of parallel arms or links 18. A looking or clamping metal lever 19 having a gripping handle portion 20 is pivoted between the free ends of the links 18 as at 21 and is provided adjacent its pivotal point with a camor nose portion 22. The cam is provided with abronze Wearing bushing 23 to prevent rusting of the joint in a lock position.

As will be apparent the cam or nose portion 22 is adapted to engage the curved portion of the lug 14 of an adjoining chute section which provides a rigid coupling for the chutes. In spite of the continual reciprocatory movement of the chute the coupling herewith described does not rattle or become loose. A pivotal fastening element 24 is secured to one of the links 18 and tends to hold the cam lever in looking position.

A spring clip 25 carried by the side wall of the chute is also provided and retains the locking lever 19 in finished relation with the side of the chute when in uncoupled state and prevents the coupling mechanism from flopping around when the chutes are being moved after being taken apart. The clip 25 engages a recess 26 in the handle portion of the lever 19 and serves to securely hold the member.

2'7 indicates washers located between the links and serve the purpose of allowing easy operation and movement of the coupling device.

It will be noted that the chutes are provided with a joint coupling as well as the cam lever coupling means. This joint tends to place the chutes in proper relationship for the lever coupling. It also forms a neat and a very efficient secondary joint for these chutes. However, I do not limit myself to this feature as plain ends can be used with good results with my coupling lever but it is desirable that a reinforcing metal plate be attached to the bottom of the chutes for strengthening the joint.

To loci: and fasten the chutes 9 and 10 together, the arms 18 of one chute are swung down over the lug 14 of the other chute, one arm, resting upon each side of the lug. The clamping lever 19 is then brought into engagement with the lug 14, the cam 22 engaging the curved portion of the lug where its action provides a rigid and secure coupling engagement. The cam action retains this lever in flushed relation with the side of the adjoining chute and the fastening element 24 which has been raised to allow the links 18 to en- 7 gage the lug 14 is lowered and the lever is held in locked relation.

When uncoupling of the chutes is necessary all that is required is to swing up the element 24 and flip the handle backwards where the cam 22 disengages the lug 14 and a quick and highly efficient uncoupling operation is obtained. When uncoupled the lever may be swung backwards far enough to engage the clip 25 where it is held to prevent its flopping around when the chutes are being removed.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith described and claimed is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same but that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, a chute composed of separable members, coupling means provided for said members and comprising a hook lug upon one member, said lug having an extended base bearing plate, links pivotally connected to a second member, a lever pivotally connected to said links, said lever having'a camshaped nose portion adapted for association with said lug, said cam-shaped nose portion provided with an auxiliary bearing surface to prevent rusting of the cam when in coupling association with the lug, a pivotal locking member arranged across the links for holding the lever in locked relation, and means carried by the lever for association with a clip element for holding said lever in unlocked relation.

2. In a device of the class described, a chute composed of separable members, coupling means provided for said members and comprising a. hook lug having an extended base bearing plate located on one member, a block carried by the second member, links pivotally mounted to said block, a lever pivotally connected to said links, said lever having a cam nose portion located adjacent its pivotal point for association with the hook lug, a pivotal locking member carried by one of said links and bridging the gap between the links for preventing said lever from becoming uncoupled, and washers arranged between the block and the links and the lever and the links for imparting free movement to the pivotal coupling member.

QUINTO PARDINI. 

